The American Enigma

The Spiders Are Assholes

Harry POV

It's been a month since the incident, as Ron and I started calling it. We missed the other two members of our little quartet. Y/N barely did anything at this point. He barely spoke, save for when Ernie tried to apologize for assuming one of us was the Heir.

"All it took was one of our best friends to be attacked to change your mind, eh?" Y/N had snarled, surprising everyone. Ernie, to his credit, took it on the chin, but was worried about the response.

We met Awstin, who was the only adult that Y/N openly trusted anymore. I don't think anyone could ever forget his reply to Dumbledore after he requested a moment of his time.

"No. I've gone to you twice, and each time, you brushed it off. Why should I give you another chance? Perhaps, if I end up dying, you'll learn to take every warning serious."

The teachers were surprised, but Snape was the only one who voiced anything.

"Albus, you must realize that he can't trust us. Not anymore."

Other than those few instances, he was quiet. Which made a few Slytherins happy, but thankfully they haven't tried anything.

Sadly, that doesn't mean they haven't tried. Draco, especially. He's been gloating and walking around like he owned the place. Searching for Y/N to rub his supposed failure in his face.

Y/N barely leaves the common room or library any more, which is beneficial. He doesn't eat anything until late at night when Awstin essentially forces him to eat to keep his strength. I don't know what is said in those meetings, but it makes Y/N eat.

Sleeping, on the other hand, doesn't happen. Or if it does, he wakes up screaming. And it's always the same thing. "Hermione! I'm sorry!"

But you can't help those who don't take the first step. So we're going to have to talk to Hagrid. He's our only link right now, and I'd rather have our friends back.

"So!" Draco started in Potions, loud enough to garner the attention of Y/N and Snape. "The Heir of Slytherin strikes again! Another Mudblood is in their rightful place! And it's that Mudblood bitch Granger! All my wishes are coming true!" Snape growled, as Y/N stood up.

"Shut. The. Fuck. Up." He kept his voice low, surprising everyone.

"Ah, Stafford! Gonna defend your Mudblood girlfriend? Even after you failed to protect her?" The punch didn't surprise anyone, and Snape barely moved. Which made us all curious. He's usually extremely biased, but even he must have some standards.

"Perhaps, Draco, your father will be interested in knowing just who gave me the excuse I needed." Ken announced his presence, making the ferret whine. "Oh no. We have witnesses who, should they think about lying to the Confederation, will not just be expelled, but give me all the motivation to begin a full scale investigation into their family." He then lifted Malfoy up by the collar and fixed his nose. But Y/N walking out of class, something that normally would've been cause for Snape yelling and screaming, was met with acceptance.

After class, Ron and I cornered Y/N and brought him with us down to Hagrid's hut, my dad's invisibility cloak covering us all.

Y/N POV

"Oh," Hagrid gaped, lowering the weapon and staring at us. "What're you doin' here?"

"What's that for?" said Harry, pointing at the crossbow as we stepped inside.

"Nothin' nothin'" Hagrid muttered. "I've bin expectin'... doesn' matter - Sit down- I'll make tea-"

He hardly seemed to know what he was doing. He nearly extinguished the fire, spilling water from the kettle on it, and then smashed the teapot with a nervous jerk of his massive hand.